Like any significant investment you need to put aside time habitually to keep your property in the best condition possible and be certain it retains its value.
Here are five tips to keep your house in the finest condition:
1) Examine the roof:
One of the first places to see damage on a property is the roof. You need to examine your roof at regular intervals, as issues here can go unnoticed until they become a big problem (and you get leaks). Do a visual investigation for slipped, cracked or badly damaged tiles. Look at the pointing and get somebody in if this is in a defective condition. You should remove moss from tiles if it's starting to take over. And give gutters a dutiful clean out periodically, removing all leaves and weeds before they can clog anything up.
If your guttering has had problems that can't seem to be fixed then it may be time for some replacement guttering This might include links, sagging or cracks that do not induce the reaction to dwindle with your cleaning and repair work.
If you have an urge for to go the DIY route then there are a number of gutters available on the market to buy at DIY stores. You can select to get PVC-U guttering or cast iron gutters though you should keep in view that cast iron gutters are heavier and for these reasons more demanding to install on your own.
If you cannot get access to your roof, hire a reputable gutter replacement firm to perform this for you. A quick search on google for Fascia,soffits and guttering should suffice, but remember to add in your local area on the search to narrow it down and find a local business that way.
2) Inspect for damp:
Regularly check your walls for damp. It's a troublesome problem that you must manage straight away if you discover it. Dampness can get through defective mortar joints or hairline cracks in any rendering. In older houses the walls are usually solid which encourages damp but in many cases damp is encouraged because of pitiful maintenance. The roof, walls, floors, windows and doors and pipe work in and outside the house, are all likely causes of damp. Usually a damp patch inside the home is simply identified as being connected to a problem outside the house.
A damp patch at the top of a chimney breast will indicate the probable explanation is a leak through the chimney stack. A wet patch at the top of a wall might be due to a leaking gutter outside which will require repairing or replacing
3) Check Everywhere water goes:
Be sure the cement mortar around waste pipes is in a good condition and check water down pipes for splits or leaky joints. If there is anything thriving on your walls such as climbing roses or ivy, either clear away it or keep a very close eye. These plants can crack brickwork and hold moisture in the wall.
4) Keep woodwork in top condition:
All wooden window and door frames should be painted at least once every three years. This will stop dampness getting in. Renew any broken sash cords in windows, and fix broken or cracked glass as soon as possible.
5) Stop leaks before they materialize:
Inside your home check your plumbing pipework and waste pipes for joint leaks. Now and again clean out bath and sink traps. And if the seals between baths and showers and the wall are starting to decline, replace them immediately.